6-12-12: Arizona Cardinals Bird Droppings - Signings Complete

Time for todays links, and our main news now is that the two previously unsigned rookies are now signed, and a vet from last year was brought back too.

Final Two Draft Picks Sign
WR Floyd signs five-year contract, CB Fleming gets four years

Word From the Birds Blog | As expected, Holliday comes back
As became clear last week after the Cards re-signed veteran linebacker Clark Haggans, the Cards brought back another vet today when veteran defensive end Vonnie Holliday returned on a one-year contract. As I’ve mentioned before, Holliday not only provides depth but is great in the locker room and teaching young players and that part of it can’t be overstated.

Holliday adds to 'bunch' of leaders on 'D' - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson hailed the Arizona Cardinals' defensive leadership during a recent interview with XTRA Sports 910 AM in Phoenix. That leadership appears even more solid after the team re-signed 15th-year veteran Vonnie Holliday to a one-year deal. The Cardinals announced the contract Monday, after Wilson made the following remarks to Dan Bickley and Mike Jurecki, via Sports Radio Interviews:

'People are sleeping on us and that's OK' - NFC West Blog - ESPN
One sequence stood out from Daryn Colledge's recent interview with The Pulling Linemen. "We were in almost every game last year and we split with San Fran," the Arizona Cardinals' left guard said. "People are sleeping on us and that's OK. We are right where we wanna be."

Arizona Cardinals sign draft picks Michael Floyd, Jamell Fleming
The Arizona Cardinals have signed first-round selection (13th overall) Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd to a five-year contract and third-round selection (80th overall) Oklahoma cornerback Jamell Fleming to a four-year contract.

Arizona Cardinals re-sign defensive end Vonnie Holliday
The Arizona Cardinals have re-signed defensive end Vonnie Holliday to a one-year contract and have released defensive end Conrad Obi. Holliday (6-5, 288) is entering his 15th year in the NFL after playing in all 16 games and recording 16 tackles with the Cardinals in 2011.

Close doesn't count in NFL, or does it? - NFC West Blog - ESPN
There's a tendency to rationalize narrow defeats by suggesting that a play or two might have changed the outcome. There's also a tendency to avoid applying similar standards to narrow victories. Best-case scenarios carry greater appeal than realistic ones, of course. If only the 2011 Arizona Cardinals had won the four games they lost by four or fewer points ... without losing any of the five they won by similar margins ... they would have been 12-4, not 8-8. Call it the power of positive (wishful) thinking. The earlier item on the Cardinals' being "in almost every game" last season invited a look through the team's results.

Cardinals RB Alfonso Smith stays ready - ArizonaSports.com
Beanie Wells has yet to practice, while Ryan Williams has yet to go through a full practice during three weeks of OTAs. The same script is expected to be followed this week when the Cardinals hold their mandatory mini-camp with five practices over three days. With the team's top two running backs still recovering from knee injuries, the door has opened for 25-year-old Alfonso Smith.

Cards Fan Fest to debut Social Media Lounge - ArizonaSports.com
Those in attendance at the Arizona Cardinals "Fan Fest 2012" this Wednesday at University of Phoenix Stadium will get a chance to experience the team's new "social media lounge".

Word From the Birds Blog | Bidwill worked for Hall game
Cardinals president Michael Bidwill did an interview on Arizona Sports 620 just now, and among the highlights was a brief explanation of how the Cardinals got picked for the Hall of Fame game against the Saints. Bidwill said he didn’t want to go into details, but he had a "conversation or two" in New York with league people over time. "I wanted to make sure we get more nationally televised games," Bidwill said.

Cardinals' Bidwill excited about direction of team - ArizonaSports.com
Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill is excited about the direction of his team and remains as focused as ever on reaching another Super Bowl.

NFL News:

Putting offseason non-contact rules to test - NFC West Blog - ESPN
NFL teams holding mandatory minicamps this week should be on heightened alert after the Seattle Seahawks incurred punishment for violating non-contact rules. The collective bargaining agreement prohibits "contact work" while singling out "live blocking, tackling, pass rushing" and the use of "bump-and-run" coverage tactics. Less clear: how to prevent a competitive situation from crossing the line.

NFL Dynasties: Which Teams Will Enter The Elite? - SBNation.com
The Patriots are one of the few bona fide dynasties over the last decade. Which NFL teams have a chance to be the next dynasty in the league?

Chad Ochocinco Signs 1-Year Deal With Dolphins - SBNation.com
Chad Ochocinco is taking his talents to South Beach, signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. Born and raised in Miami, Ochocinco has a chance to revive his career in his hometown. The news was initially announced by -- who else? -- the OchoCinco News Network. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports was the first to report the length of the contract.

Jake Ballard Expects To Return To Giants - SBNation.com
Giants tight end Jake Ballard, who tore his ACL earlier this year, was waived by the team but expects to return in 2013.

David Diehl Arrested For Possible DWI Sunday Night - SBNation.com
Diehl has been a mainstay on New York's offensive line for a decade.

Drew Brees Can Spend His Offseason Making Sandwiches - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
The Saints placed the franchise tag on Drew Brees earlier this year, but the quarterback has yet to sign it, which means he's technically unsigned. It also means he's not getting paid right now, and considering his last contract was worth only $60 million, Brees needs to start earning a paycheck.